Pope Francis has sworn in Peter Okpaleke, Catholic bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra state, as a cardinal.

The swearing in took place on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

The college of cardinals is a body of senior priests who support the pope in overseeing the affairs of the church, and they also vote during papal elections.

Okpaleke who is among the 20 new cardinals of the church is one of two African bishops and the only Nigerian sworn in.

The new cardinals are an addition to the college of cardinals which has now grown from 208 to 229.

Prior to being appointed as cardinal, TheCable had reported how Okpaleke resigned as bishop from the Ahiara diocese in Imo state after being rejected because he was not an indigene.

‘OKPALEKE IS A BLESSING’

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), was in attendance at the ceremony.

While congratulating Okpaleke, Obi said he has remained a blessing to the church and the country.

In a post on Twitter, Obi wrote: “I rejoice with His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke as he canonically receives the Red Hat from His Holiness, Pope Francis at a Consistory in Rome today, by which function, he has become a fully fledged Prince of the Universal Church.

“He has remained a blessing to not just the church in Nigeria, but the universal church. His patience, understanding and wide perspectives on issues remain some of his valuable assets that have continued to propel him higher in the priestly vocation.”

Charles Soludo, Anambra governor, who was also present at the ceremony, said it is a special day for his state.

“Those of us from Anambra have come to celebrate with him and welcome him as he receives the red hat,” Soludo said.

Opaleke is the fifth cardinal from Nigeria — others are Dominic Ekandem (now late), John Onaiyekan, Anthony Okogie and Francis Arinze.

ExAngel007:
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP),
was in attendance at the ceremony.

While congratulating Okpaleke, Obi said he has remained a
blessing to the church and the country.

In a post on Twitter , Obi wrote: “I rejoice with His Eminence,
Peter Cardinal Okpaleke as he canonically receives the Red
Hat from His Holiness, Pope Francis at a Consistory in Rome
today, by which function, he has become a fully fledged
Prince of the Universal Church.

“He has remained a blessing to not just the church in Nigeria,
but the universal church. His patience, understanding and
wide perspectives on issues remain some of his valuable
assets that have continued to propel him higher in the priestly
vocation.”

Charles Soludo, Anambra governor, who was also present at
the ceremony, said it is a special day for his state.

“Those of us from Anambra have come to celebrate with him
and welcome him as he receives the red hat,” Soludo said.

Opaleke is the fifth cardinal from Nigeria — others are Dominic
Ekandem (now late), John Onaiyekan, Anthony Okogie and
Francis Arinze.

https://www.thecable.ng/photos-obi-soludo-present-as-pope-francis-ordains-okpaleke-as-cardinal/amp?nonamp=1

RepoMan007:
Politics has almost no boundary for desperate politicians. Appearing anywhere and identifying everywhere.

apache22b:
The good for nothing Obidient's urchins are all over the media masturbating on their failed Port-Harcourt Rally . Next year election results will be a great shocker to them.

According to reports reaching us here the Agbadorian FC , the useless crowd at the Port-Harcourt Rally were all rented and sponsored by Nollywood industry with their ill gotten wealth, but we will not relent in our struggle by voting Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the right man for the job with no scandal whatsoever, only a pocket of propaganda by the Obidient's urchins to tarnish Tinubu's image.

I and my fellow youths will continue to work tirelessly to bring back sanity to our dear country.

Tinubu is our only hope for a better Nigeria, believe it or not.

Peter Obi is a thief, a liar and a traitor. We cannot continue to live in deceit . Peter Obi and his Obidient urchins has lied for us for too long and we are tired of hearing more lies from them .

The Obidient's urchins are the worst sets of people in human race .

Say no to Peter Obi and his good for nothing Obidient's urchins and say yes to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that's the only way we can move forward again in this Country

seunmsg:
They went to Rome in Aso Ebi for the event. Nigerians are really special breeds

RepoMan007:
Politics has almost no boundary for desperate politicians. Appearing anywhere and identifying everywhere.

RepoMan007:
Politics has almost no boundary for desperate politicians. Appearing anywhere and identifying everywhere.

Prior to being appointed as cardinal,
TheCable had reported how Okpaleke resigned as bishop from the Ahiara diocese in Imo state after being rejected because he was not an indigene.